Officially announced today, The Walking Dead has (obviously) been renewed for a fourth seasons, but they’ll be looking for a new showrunner.
Cryptic tweets from the S2 and S3 showrunner of AMC’s hit series, The Walking Dead, point to Mazzara’s departure from the series.
“Thank you to an immensely talented cast and crew,” Mazzara tweeted late this morning. “I’ve had an amazing experience as showrunner for S3 @walkingdead_amc but it’s time to move one. Thank you to all the fans for their support.” Followed by, “The #walkingdead fans are absolutely amazing. I cannot thank you enough for your support.”
Even though the il-predicted Mayan Apocalypse didn’t lead to corpses walking in the streets and the end of modern civilization, it seems they were correct about one cycle ending.
Comments have been released from Robert Kirkman, Mazzara, AMC and show producer, Gale Anne Hurd.
From AMC and Mazzara in a joint statement:
Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways,
Here’s Mazzara on his tod:
My time as showrunner on The Walking Dead has been an amazing experience, but after I finish season 3, it’s time to move on. I have told the stories I wanted to tell and connected with our fans on a level that I never imagined. It doesn’t get much better than that. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey
Hurd:
I am appreciative and grateful to Glen for his hard work on ‘The Walking Dead.’ I am supportive of AMC and Glen’s decision and know that the series is in great hands with one of the most talented and dedicated casts and crews in the business. I look forward to the show’s continued success
And Kirkman:
I am in full support of both AMC and Glen Mazzara in the decision they have come to and believe the parties came to this decision in the best interest of the future of the show. I thank Glen for his hard work and appreciate his many contributions to The Walking Dead and look forward to working with him as we complete post production on Season 3. I am also excited to begin work on another spectacular season of this show that I know means so much to so many people. This show has always been the result of a wide range of extremely talented men and women working tirelessly to produce their best work collectively. I believe the future is bright for The Walking Dead. Thank you to the fans for your continued support.
If AMC continues to force out their crew, there will be no future for the show. One can only imagine this all came down when AMC ordered a longer running 4th season and Mazzara stood up for his cast and crew. It takes roughly 8 days to film one episode (not including editing) and the final three episodes of season 3 were filmed out of order, with the scripts still being written while the cast/crew were filming. Season 3 also went over budget ,and filming schedule by nearly 2 weeks.
No official news on weather or not it was Mazzara who took the initiative himself to step down or if AMC fired him as they did with show creator Frank Darabont. I’m reading the wishy-washy above statements as just that.
Many fans know Darabont was fired by AMC, over similiar disagreemants, the day after cast and crew appeared at SDCC 2011 with the Season 2 teaser trailer. Few people outside the cast and crew know that it was AMC’s firing of Darabont that prompted Jeffrey “Dale” Demunn’s asking to be written off the show. “I did ask to be killed off. I didn’t like the way “AMC” treated my friend.”
Going through 2 showrunners in 3 seasons is a tough break for fans. No word yet on who will replace Mazzara, but I’m guessing they’ll hire from the inside; perhaps Ernest Dickerson, Guy Ferland or Greg Nicotero.
